Excessive Branding?

[Fred Sanford]

Was it this one?

The etch on the blade can be polished off like others have mentioned. There were some plain bolster versions but I don't know if there were any in snakewood. Here's one with bocote.

And here's the pattern index. I'm not sure if it's all of them. I think sometimes there are a few short runs that don't make it to the pattern index.

That #61 looks like crap with all that UN X LD garbage on it. That's just too much.

 

[jc57]

hhmoore - for whatever difference it makes, I agree with you on that knife. Those etched bolsters are unattractive and ruin the looks of the knife for me. I also prefer NO printed or etched markings on blades. I have learned to accept the fact that most knives have to have blade etches (well, GEC and Queen seem to think so) but it doesn't mean I like it.

There are GEC knives that I like overall but something like a blade etch or goofy-looking shield mean I don't buy them. As long as they have enough buyers of what they produce, doesn't matter what I like or not. I like Case knives too but I won't touch their embellished blade knives, nor any shield or co-branding that I don't identify with (Ford, John Deere, Carhartt, Ducks Unlimited, etc).

However, the reason there is such variety in knives is that there are a wide variety of tastes in knives too. Things I may dislike are things others prefer. I don't mind being in the minority. We don't all have to think alike or agree on the same things here, there should be room for all preferences. Whatever I don't like leaves more for others.

 

[MerryMadMonk]

To each his own/different strokes, etc.

I love mine... the stamped bolsters are actually what set the hook. I like the etch, too

 

[5K Qs]

...However, the reason there is such variety in knives is that there are a wide variety of tastes in knives too. Things I may dislike are things others prefer. I don't mind being in the minority. We don't all have to think alike or agree on the same things here, there should be room for all preferences. Whatever I don't like leaves more for others.

Well said, John! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

- GT

 

[jc57]

To each his own/different strokes, etc.

I love mine... the stamped bolsters are actually what set the hook. I like the etch, too

I think it looks better on yours than that snakewood. Maybe because the snakewood is kind of busy already, and the extra markings just tips it over the line to "too much." Whereas the smooth unmarked bone creates a more tranquil center area for the eye to rest on. Better feng shui.

I certainly understand that it is an old and well-established practice in the traditional pocket knife world, and I can see where it could be appealing on the right pattern. Just doesn't work for me on that Congress. I do like lined bolsters and polished blades versus smooth bolsters and brushed blades, so I like my gaudiness as well as the next person, just perhaps in a different direction.

 

[Druk]

My Boker Beer Barrel Whittler had a large and not well done blade etching (Note: I run a laser engraving department at a manufacturing company, so my standards for etching/engraving may absurdly stringent), it looked horrid. A 10 minute bourbon etch, cleaned off with a scotch bad and re-etched for another ten minutes left me with a nice patina that left the etching barely visible.

 

[brownshoe]

I agree, too busy. The etches would have kept it of my pocket.

 

[Easyrider]

I agree with the OP about the blade etching thing. I have been coming to the conclusion that I am not the normal traditional knife enthusiast. I dislike blade etching and I abhor carbon steel patina.

I think Knarfeng has shown me the path; a Buck 501 from their custom shop with S30v stainless steel blade.

Thank you sir.

 

[jkulysses]

To each his own/different strokes, etc.

I love mine... the stamped bolsters are actually what set the hook. I like the etch, too

I missed out on one of these last year & I've been kicking myself since. Nice knife!

 

[hhmoore]

It seems that most of the commenters are at least understanding my point now (the picture helped in that regard - thank you again, supratentorial), so that's progress. I had no expectations about people agreeing with me...beauty being in the eye of the beholder, and all that; so I have no issue with people that find that look appealing.

Thank you to all that tried to help sort out what I was attempting to describe, and/or took the time to comment.

 

[stezann]

I can't resolve to stamp my knives... I don't like garish branding on a knife, it just looks cheap and kitch.
An understated stamp on the tang it's ok, but i hate large tangs (robbing edge to the blade) just to fit a big stamp.

 

[Campbellclanman]

I found what I thought was going to be my next traditional...
A Northfield UN-X-LD two blade Congress in snakewood. I like snakewood - a lot - and it had the blade combination I wanted; but I was deterred by all the etching. I'm not a fan of big blade etching - not sure why it's such a thing with trads (ok, the blade is small, so it just looks big - I get it) - but on this particular piece they took it up a notch. Not only was the etching on the blade loud and proud, both sides of both bolsters were etched as well. No chance of missing the fact that this is UN-X-LD, since it is boldly displayed in 5 places. What a shame - it could have been an attractive, classy looking knife.
(I thought about buying it anyway, and trying to polish it off; but I was afraid that removing the bolster etching would have left it looking worse)

When you look at the Older Traditional knives- they were STAMPED heavily - and when you look at the old typeface they used, and looked at the meaning behind all the stampings and competitive meanings - its facinating.
Take for example the early Joseph Rodgers or G Wostenholm I*XL knives from the 1800's and 1900's, the stampings on the Ricasso's and Blades are just great.

Traditional knives are just that - traditional, some people dont actually like the etchings that are on the knives these days - so its a simple matter of a wee rub of Flitz and its gone, in the earlier days, you had no choice - either heavy stamping or deep Acid Etching!

 

[supratentorial]

They did make a round bolster version in snakewood without branding on the bolsters...

Since you like snakewood, here are a few other GEC patterns to search. I think these are all older so I'm not sure if any dealers will have them in stock but you might also find them on the Exchange or other sources of second hand knives.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/803486-Pet-Snakes-(GEC-Snakewood)

big jack--dogleg jack--slim trap--slim trap--steel toenail--tooth--Phillip Dobson parer,m4 & at bottom bulldog 3 bld. trap by gec
the abalone was lonely today so he asked to join the party.
dennis

Here are both sides of my Cuban snake. I think the best stuff is getting harder to come by as this one is from "08.

I like the snakewood on my latest GEC but the picture above looks just like a typical wood. Not sure I would pick up another in snakewood if they look like that moving forward.

 

[BigBiscuit]

To each his own/different strokes, etc.

I love mine... the stamped bolsters are actually what set the hook. I like the etch, too

I don't care one way or the other about blade etching. That typically disappears anyways. I do like the bolster etchings on many knives and this example is very traditional. I especially like the bolster etchings on the old barlows.

 

[black mamba]

I guess I just like bling, as none of the above examples are too much for me. Here is one of my favorite knives, with a fancy bolster, stamped head bolster and large etch: beautiful!

I also love the German reverse frost etches which cover the entire blade, as on this Bulldog stockman.

And I agree, there is certainly nothing wrong with liking or disliking these features, to each his/her own.
After all, the variety of traditional knives is one of their main fascinations for me.